Berhampur: To curb black marketing of fertilisers during the ongoing kharif season, Ganjam district administration has launched a WhatsApp helpline for farmers to report overcharging and hoarding by dealers. The initiative comes amid concerns over the alleged short supply of certain fertilisers, including urea, attributed to prevailing geopolitical developments.Officials said some unscrupulous traders were taking advantage of the situation by charging farmers higher prices. “We have directed all dealers to prominently display government-approved fertiliser prices and their stock position at their outlets,” Ganjam collector Keerthi Vasan V said, adding there was no shortage of fertilisers. The administration’s focus is on ensuring equitable distribution, he said, warning of strict action against dealers found overcharging or hoarding stocks.Govt rates have been fixed at Rs 266.5 per bag of urea, Rs 1,350 for DAP, and Rs 1,975-Rs 2,200 for MOP, officials said.For the current kharif season, the district requires 66,325 metric tonnes (MT) of fertilisers, including 39,700 MT of urea.
